Sexton’s drop goal: quick facts
- When: 3 February 2018, France v Ireland, Six Nations, Stade de France, Paris.
- The situation: Ireland trailed 13-12 as the clock ran out.
- The move: 41 phases of patient Irish rugby, by most counts, without losing the ball.
- The kick: a drop goal from around 45 metres, three minutes into added time. Final score 15-13.
- What it led to: Ireland won every game and took the 2018 Grand Slam, only their third ever.
The clock had gone red. Ireland were a point down in Paris, deep in their own half. Lose the ball once and the game was gone. What happened next is still the most nerve-shredding few minutes in Irish rugby.
Here is the whole thing, every phase, from Irish Rugby’s own channel.
The longest few minutes in Irish rugby
France had just gone 13-12 up with a few minutes left. Ireland got the ball back and simply refused to give it up. Forwards carried, recycled and carried again, inching up the pitch, phase after phase, with a packed Stade de France roaring. One knock-on, one penalty, and it was over.
After 41 phases, with Ireland around 45 metres out, Conor Murray passed to Johnny Sexton. Sexton dropped the ball onto his boot and struck it. It just about cleared the bar. Ireland won 15-13.
Why it mattered so much
That kick was the first step. Ireland went on to beat Italy, Wales, Scotland and finally England at Twickenham on St Patrick’s Day 2018, winning 24-15 to complete the Grand Slam. It was only the third Grand Slam in Irish history, after 1948 and 2009, and Sexton was named World Rugby Player of the Year later that year.
Without those 41 phases, none of it happens.
Johnny Sexton
Jonathan Sexton, from Dublin, played his whole club career with Leinster, apart from two seasons at Racing 92 in Paris. He captained Ireland and retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup as one of the greatest players the country has produced.
Sexton drop goal FAQ
When did Johnny Sexton kick the drop goal in Paris?
On 3 February 2018, in the opening round of the Six Nations.
How many phases were there before Sexton’s drop goal?
41, by most counts.
How far was Sexton’s drop goal?
About 45 metres.
What was the final score?
France 13, Ireland 15.
More Irish sporting moments
- The day Ireland finally beat the All Blacks
- Ireland’s Call, the rugby anthem
- Zombie: the song Irish rugby fans sing
- Hurling: the best goals and how it works
- The best viral Irish videos of all time
Featured image: still from Irish Rugby’s official YouTube channel.
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